Primary Intestinal Pseudo-Obstruction in The New York Times - Article Example

Relationship between Massive Media and Psychology Relationship between Massive Media and Psychology Observation 1 Date: 9/15/2011 Location: The New York Times (Intestinal Pseudo-Obstruction) Case Description: The article has described patients with the Intestinal Pseudo-Obstruction, a condition of intestinal blockage (The New York Times, 2012). It can also be known as the chronic intestinal pseudo-obstruction. Patients suffer from constipation, bloating, nausea and abdominal pain. The patients suffer from decreased abilities in the digestion process.

Food cannot be digested normally due to the blockages in the intestine. However, there is no physical blockage in the patient’s body. The large and small intestines lose their capability to push food and stool through the gastrointestinal tract. Patients suffer from other symptoms such as constipation in the end. Psychological Implication The case study is an example of a condition that may lead to various brain and neural conditions such as cerebral palsy (Bayless, 2005). They are caused by chronic symptoms that occur over time.

There is no specific cause of Intestinal Pseudo-Obstruction, and patients may suffer from the disease at any age. Other risk factors include chronic lung, heart and kidney diseases. They may be caused by the lack of proper food digestion and prolonged constipation periods. Weight loss may occur in some patients since the consumed food is not being digested. Lack of physical blockage makes it hard for the patient notice the first stages of the condition. Scans and x-ray can be used for the exams and tests in patients.

Abdominal x-ray, anal manometry, colonoscopy and barium-swallow may be used to diagnose the condition (Bayless, 2005). In severe cases, blood test may be carried out to monitor nutritional deficiencies in the patient due to poor digestion. Treatment may be through colonoscopy or nasogastric suction whereby a tube is used to decompress the bowel (Bayless, 2005). The patient should also be provided with fluids to replace those lost through vomiting. As the disease progresses, it may lead to mental and physical complications.

Patients may suffer from psychological changes caused by the disease’s symptoms. For example, weight loss without knowledge of the disease may leave the patient stranded; hence, causing other complications such as stress. References Bayless, T. (2005). Advanced therapy in gastroenterology and liver disease (5th ed.). London: B.C. Decker. The New York Times. (2012, August 22). Retrieved February 24, 2015, from http://www.nytimes.com/health/guides/disease/primary-intestinal-pseudo-obstruction/overview.html